Zara's House

12 April 2018
| General Interest

Sr Diana OP is a founding member of this women's education project in Newcastle NSW.

On 10th April, Zara's House was one of three social change projects selected by the AMP Foundation to speak to the Funding Network, a gathering of philanthropists in Sydney. At a time when government funding for social funding of underprivileged projects is becoming scarce, philanthropy is on the rise.

"Zara's House offers a range of support programs, empowering migrant and refugee women in the Newcastle community. Programs include language classes, citizenship test preparation, women's health and education, child development and family relationships, all of which enables these women and their families better settle into the local community. Funding will enable them to run learning days for the refugee women and children who have been deprived of education." Sr Diana pointed out that the key to learning and literacy is the starting point: literacy first of all, in one's mother tongue.

All three projects attracted significant funding for the upcoming year thanks to the generosity of the individuals, foundations and corporations attending. The AMP Foundation generously matched pledges made on this night.

The event was televised for ABC Compass, as a segment of a three-part document series. It is anticipated that this will be screened, August 2018.